Climate Change : Impact and Adaptation Strategies in Hill Agriculture of North East State of Mizoram

Climate change is intensifying the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, adversely affecting crop production. Slash and burn agriculture (Jhum) is still practiced in almost all the hill states as well as Mizoram state which produced large amount of greenhouse gasses. In this context, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Mizoram Centre under National Initiative Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project has identified some suitable upland and lowland rice varieties/germplasms for early maturation and higher productivity. Moreover, pulses and oil seed crops is also planned immediately after rice harvest and harvested rice plant biomass use as mulch to conserve soil moisture. Among all upland variety, Bhalum 3 recorded significantly higher grain (26.8 q/ha) and straw yield (73.8 q/ha) and MZR-19 produced higher grain yield of 28.3 q/ha among all locally collected upland rice germplasm. Gomati Dhan shows higher potential among all lowland rice varieties in case of early maturity, higher yield and pest and disease resistance. NPJ 113 (mustard), DPL 62 (lentil), VL 42 (pea) and JG 14 (chick pea) performed very well in upland and lowland rice ecosystem. Resource conserving practices like zero tillage can help farmers to grow crops soon after rice harvest so that the grain matures before the onset of pre-monsoon shower and also reduced the emission of greenhouse gases by avoid biomass burning.